Va. Guard razing drug-trade buildings in Petersburg

Aug. 27, 2013 - 08:03PM
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Virginia National Guard troops tear down 743 Halifax St., Petersburg, Va., with heavy machinery on Aug. 27. Operation Renew will demolish more than a dozen structures, blighted and tied to the drug trade, and offer training for the service members. (Patrick Kane / The (Petersberg, Va.) Progress-Inde)

Maj. Gen. Daniel D. Long, adjutant general for the Virginia National Guard, speaks before a house on Halifax Street in Petersburg, Va., is demolished on Aug. 27. (Patrick Kane / The (Petersberg, Va.) Progress-Inde)

PETERSBURG, VA. — The Virginia National Guard is demolishing blighted buildings associated with the drug trade in Petersburg.

The Progress-Index reports that about 30 soldiers and airmen from National Guard engineer units were working on the project Tuesday.

The initiative, dubbed “Operation Renew” and supervised by the Virginia National Guard Counterdrug Task Force, began Aug. 19 and continues through Friday. The Guard is providing the heavy equipment and expertise to demolish more than 15 structures.